Seeing his most trusted Pokémon actively volunteering for the battle, Mann Chong happily agreed.
"Great!"
"Then let me make a trip to the Pokémon Center." Baimu smiled, thinking maybe tonight he could verify the strength of the tournament runner-up.
"I'll join you!"
Mann Chong took out a Pokeball from his pocket, "I want to give my Pokémon a check-up..."
Pre-battle check-ups are a very common practice.
Since Pokémon are like professional athletes, they may not be at their peak all the time, so a check-up is particularly necessary to ensure their condition.
If something like discomfort or special conditions are found during the check-up, they can be replaced or treated in time.
——
Backyard of the guesthouse.
In the rather large battle field, Baimu and Mann Chong stood on opposite sides.
Not far away.
Cousin Aman watched them with excitement, along with scattered tenants either standing or sitting, gazing at the battle field.
For the tenants of this guesthouse, although there has always been a large battle field in the backyard, very few ever use it.
But now someone was actually going to battle, and one of them was the shy desk clerk.
It was truly intriguing.
Returning his gaze from the onlookers, Baimu said loudly, "How should we battle? One-on-one? Three-on-three?"
"Either's fine!"
Mann Chong took several deep breaths, his aura slowly changing.
Many trainers change after entering battle mode, giving an unfamiliar impression to those who don't know them.
Mann Chong was clearly among them. From weak and obedient, he transformed into a confident and vigorous presence, finally showing the air of a seasoned trainer, much like Ash Ketchum's first encounter with Shinji, and exuded a skilled aura.
His speech grew more decisive.
"Let's make it three-on-three then."
Baimu said with a smile, placing three Pokeballs into his pocket.
To ensure optimal condition for tomorrow's match, Aggron couldn't possibly battle, lest they tire like Porygon and be unprepared tomorrow.
The purpose of facing other trainers is not solely to win, but to gain valuable experience against the tournament runner-up for the "babies" in the team.
"Alright!"
Mann Chong took out a Pokeball.
No Referee for street battles, when to release Pokémon and when to attack is up to the trainer's skill.
The usual unwritten rule is, when both trainers unveil their Pokeballs, Pokémon can be released simultaneously.
Bang bang!
The two Pokeballs flew and opened.
Amidst the flickering white light.
A gray-white raw stone appeared before Baimu, while Mann Chong chose the elegant and beautiful Delcatty.
The latter stared at the Galarian Corsola in surprise, until its smoke-like tentacles extended and lifted from the ground, realizing it was indeed a Pokémon.
Yet again...
An unfamiliar Pokémon!
Mann Chong's heart raced, feeling a long dormant sensation returning inside.
That desire to grow alongside Pokémon, to witness more unfamiliar ones, stemming from his initial aspirations.
Why did he embark on his journey?
An irritability surged, like a stalled program halfway, making him clench his clothes tightly, biting his lip hard without relief.
Clearly.
Mann Chong hadn't figured things out for himself yet.
Sensing the trainer's state was off, Delcatty worriedly glanced back.
Baimu, noticing the situation, frowned, "Not feeling well?"
"...No problem!"
Mann Chong relaxed his grip on his collar, taking several deep breaths, feeling better.
Hearing the decisive response, Baimu nodded, "Then I won't hold back! Curse!"
"Huh..."
Galarian Corsola's eyes shone brilliantly, its body exuding eerie violet smoke, swiftly transforming into a shrieking ghost shadow striking toward Delcatty!
"Shadow Clone to dodge!"
Mann Chong's command prompted Delcatty to respond with extreme speed.
Swish!
Delcatty suddenly multiplied, the ghost shadow striking one but failing to merge into its shadow, instead missing entirely.
"Charming Voice!"
"Meow!"
The numerous Delcatty released pink waves of light from their mouths, dispersing the ghost shadow entirely.
Unable to help it, real battles are unlike games with simple cause-effect; curses are essentially energy attacks, subject to missing or being dispersed by stronger techniques.
Accordingly, as the ghost shadow dissipated, Galarian Corsola's just downgraded spirits revived as if taking a tonic.
Obviously, the physical strength consumed by the dispersed ghost shadow wasn't returned, curses neither achieved effects nor were blocked by special ones, leaving drained energy intact; attribute energy wasn't reimbursed.
Cursing is like an energy exchange with some spirit realm existence, failing midway leaves the entity embarrassed to continue draining life energy.
Of course.
A certain degree of skill is required to dispel curses.
"Impressive." Baimu admired Delcatty's swift move execution.
Galarian Corsola glanced at its opponent, sensing the situation might be unfavorable.